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Topic Review (Newest First)

08-26-2012 05:40 PM

vtsailguy

Re: THIS is a great topic! IS it feasable for 4 kids?

Have three boys here, 9, 7 and 5.

Lots of day sailing, a couple of BVI charters. We do ok, with the odd gray hair or three.

We are converging on a 6 month tour in a couple of years, we'll let you know how we get on

05-25-2012 02:25 PM

marydolan

Re: THIS is a great topic! IS it feasable for 4 kids?

Go sailing and enjoy. I grew up sailing and got away from it for about 20 years. Started again after I got married, and started actively about 10 years ago. We have a 46 foot sail boat, and started when the youngest was 2. We went cruising for 6 months from October of 2009 - April 2010 with four kids aged 8, 12, 14, 18 and a 2 year old cocker spaniel. The kids loved it. As they get older they are not as interested, but when we go as a family everyone has a good time. You have to be relaxed about it and be spontaneous, and let the kids be fully a part of it and ask for their thoughts and ideas. We enjoy it a lot.

04-02-2012 11:07 AM

gus_452000

Re: THIS is a great topic! IS it feasable for 4 kids?

Sailing with 4 kids, is possible, I am a single parent raising 4 kids and yes it is possible, once they learn what is and whats not allowed and where and when, I wouldnt be without mine now. They often fight like cat and dog over something thats not worth arguing over but there kids and they love going for a sail, either for the day or the whole of the summer holidays. Mine all wear PFD's on deck, unless we are under way, is it bad for your nearves the first few times you leave the harbour, ofcourse but it does get better, and you always have an eye on them at all times but it does get a whole lot better. Take them and enjoy your time together.

02-13-2012 09:08 AM

DRFerron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake Superior Sailor

This quote is out of 2011 Wi. hand book they just sent with registration , so is Wi. lieing about it being a federal law,or what!...Dale

They specifically say (according to your quote) "Federally-controlled waters" so you'll have to find out where those exist within the state. Any Army Corps of Engineer lakes that you know of? In other bodies of water within the state, your state law will determine lifejacket usage.

Generally, the USCG does not trump state laws except in rare cases or where the states do not address a particular issue.

02-13-2012 09:06 AM

Minnewaska

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake Superior Sailor

This quote is out of 2011 Wi. hand book they just sent with registration , so is Wi. lieing about it being a federal law,or what!...Dale

Cruising with kids, whether full time of summer time, is a great idea (of course you're asking on a sailing forum....) but anyhow we had great success. Our son grew up on a series of boats with us and now, near 30 continues to race OPBs and is a boat owner himself. While we were proud to have had him sailing at 18 days old in May, he had his daughter out on their boat at 1 week old in December...

We were vigilant, and not once did any of the kids we had on board fall off. PFDs were mandatory on deck, they learned early on to keep one hand for themselves. It did help to bring friends, esp if your child is an only, and introducing non-sailing-families' kids to boating was always interesting (but not always successful..)

Still there's no reason to avoid sailing because you have kids. I find it sad to run into people (and it's not that rare) who say... "We used to sail but then we had kids and we couldn't go out anymore."

It may well be more difficult to introduce older children to sailing than having them grow up with it and not knowing any different, esp in this day and age of required 'connectedness' and 'gadgets'. That may well be your challenge.

Finding a boat that is affordable and will accommodate your extended family (and it is nice to have room to invite non sibling playmates) is going to be another challenge.. Many 35 - 40 footers are not really laid out to sleep more than 4 people on a regular basis. We had (with partners) a 40 ft "cruisified" ex-race boat that, counting all the pipe berths could sleep ten. We routinely spend a few weeks each summer with 4 adults and 4 kids (incl one friend) with success.

Best of luck and don't be discouraged!

02-12-2012 09:46 PM

Lake Superior Sailor

This quote is out of 2011 Wi. hand book they just sent with registration , so is Wi. lieing about it being a federal law,or what!...Dale

02-12-2012 09:34 PM

DRFerron

From the Coast Guard website:

Child Lifejacket Requirements

Some states require that children wear lifejackets

applies to children of specific ages

applies to certain sizes of boats

applies to specific boating operations

Check with your state boating safety officials.

Child lifejacket approvals are based on the child's weight. Check the "User Weight" on the label, or the approval statement that will read something like "Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial vessels not carrying passengers for hire, by persons weighing __ lbs". They can be marked "less than 30", "30 to 50", "less than 50", or "50 to 90".

Lifejacket requirements for certain boating activities under state laws

The Coast Guard recommends and many states require wearing lifejackets:

For water skiing and other towed activities (use a lifejacket marked for water skiing).

While operating personal watercraft (PWC) (use a lifejacket marked for water skiing or PWC use).

During white water boating activities.

While sailboarding (under Federal law, sailboards are not "boats").

Check with your state boating safety officials.

Federal law does not require lifejackets on racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks; state laws vary. Check with your state boating safety officials.

If you are boating in an area under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, or a federal, state, or local park authority, other rules may apply.

02-12-2012 09:30 PM

Lake Superior Sailor

I got it out of Wi. Boating Laws Hand Book--under Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
"Federal law reqires children under the age of 13 to wear a USCG-approved PFD while underway in an open vessel on federally controlled waters."------Dale

02-12-2012 09:28 PM

DRFerron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake Superior Sailor

No; It is a federal law not state! I just found this out myself....Dale

In the US the states set their own laws concerning the age for mandatory PFD use with the exception of inflatable PFDs which are authorized for use on people over 16 YO. Requirements for the life jackets themselves as well as what size boat needs them (and what type) are mandated by the CG. But age is determined by the states.